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Charges for Services
Why do we require a contribution?
The Government assumes that Local Authorities will raise 9% of the cost of providing Non-residential services by asking people who use the services to contribute towards the cost of their services. However, because Sheffield is committed to keeping our charges one of the lowest in the country, we do not expect to recover any reductions in Government grants solely through Non-residential charging.
What Non-residential services do I contribute towards?
If you are receiving help from social services and receive or attend any of the following Non-residential services, your income and savings will be assessed in a financial assessment to see if you are able to contribute towards the cost of your services:
- Home Care Support (day or night)
- Direct Payments
- Community Support (Care in the Community) including Sensory Impairment Schemes
- Community Support (Adult Family Placement)
- Day Care Services
- Transport
- Shopping Services
- Any other Non-residential service that may be introduced
What is a Financial Assessment- and What’s involved?
To calculate what your contribution will be, a financial assessment will need to be done. This will begin with a visit from the Financial Assessment Team.
We will ask you to provide information about your income; such as any benefits or pensions you receive. We will not ask for information about earnings from employment. If you live at home with your partner, they will provide both a single assessment (using only your details) and a couple’s assessment (i.e. combining your details together) to identify which is the better option for your financial circumstances.
What financial evidence will I be asked to provide?
The Financial Assessment Officer will ask you to provide information and evidence of your savings by showing your (and your partners) bank and building society accounts, national savings or share certificates and any cash. The Financial Assessment Officer will ask you to provide evidence of your household expenses such as fuel bills, council tax, and rent or mortgage payments.
If you receive disability related benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, we will ask you to provide evidence of your disability related expenses, for example; receipts, invoices, bills etc. These may offset against your income and reduce your contribution.
Remember!
- You will only be charge what we think you can afford to pay.
- You should not be caused hardship, or denied access to a service if you cannot afford to pay
- If a charge causes hardship, you have a right to ask for the charge to be reduced or dropped.
- You will not be charged for home care services if they are mental health services.
What about contributions to Residential Services?
Social Services will help you pay the fees for residential care if they think this is the kind of help you need, and if they think you can’t afford to pay for it yourself.
For more information about the costs of residential care and how an assessment of your needs are made contact the information section on:
Tel: 0114 273 4969
What if I decide not to disclose my financial details?
If you choose not to disclose your financial details, the assessor will probably assume you can afford to pay the maximum cost of whatever services are provided.
What if I do not agree with the amount I am asked to pay?
If you don’t agree with the calculation of your assessed contribution, you can appeal. First contact our Financial Assessment Team (see below for contact details) to ask them to look at your assessment; saying why you think the contribution is incorrect. If, after this, you are not happy with their decision, you can ask the Revisit and Review Panel to review your case (the assessment officer will provide you with a leaflet about this). This panel is made up of senior managers of the Council, who will thoroughly examine your case before reaching a decision.
For more information contact:
The Financial Assessment Team Can be contacted by:
Tel: (0114) 273 4440 / 4613 / 4825 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
The Accounts and Recovery Team can be contacted by:
Tel: (0114) 273 5364 / 6716 / 6717
Or Email at: accounts.recovery@sheffield.gov.uk
Information on our current charges and comparable authorities charges is available in the down loads below.
"Paying for Services to Help You Live at Home" is a draft version of an easy read information booklet and includes comparison costs with other local authorities. This is only a draft version and is currently being piloted. If you'd like to give some feedback on the booklet please telephone Robert Broadhead on 0114 27 35049 or email: robert.broadhead@sheffield.gov.uk by the end of November 07 at the latest.
Downloads
A guide to paying for services to help you live at home and information on the calculations to help you work out how much you might be asked to pay, with comparible charges from other local authorities. (75.5 KB)
Draft version of an easy read booklet about paying for services to help you live at home. Includes comparisons with other local authorities. (593 KB)
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